Hello I'm Jean
I’m a fully registered music and language teacher with over thirty years of experience working with students of all ages. Based in Ringwood East, I offer piano, voice, and language lessons with a warm, encouraging, and imaginative approach.
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A central focus in my teaching is developing relaxed, unforced technique in piano touch, vocal production, improvisation and creative work. I love helping each student find their own musical fantasia, a balance of expressive freedom, confidence and joyful, natural music-making.
My Story
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I am a fully registered language and music teacher with over thirty years of experience across primary and secondary schools as well as private studio teaching. Over the years I have set up and led an instrumental music program, taught classroom music and prepared many private VCE piano and voice students. Working with students at every stage has given me a deep understanding of how to support individual learning needs and help each person grow with confidence.
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I completed my Bachelor of Arts with Honours at Monash University, where my thesis on Italian opera received First Class Honours for its stylistic insight and interdisciplinary approach. My background in languages continues to enrich my teaching, especially when preparing singers for examinations that require clear diction and strong stylistic awareness.
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After university I completed my piano studies with AMEB examiner Margriet Pendavingh and later worked alongside her teaching piano and theory. This was an invaluable apprenticeship that strengthened my understanding of exam preparation, pacing and the development of healthy technique.
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During my time singing with the Recital Choir of the Melbourne Chorale, now known as the Melbourne Symphony Chorus, I studied vocal technique with a graduate of the Royal College of Music. This work focused on reducing vocal strain and building a relaxed, natural tone, and it continues to shape the way I teach voice today.
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I have completed Kodály and Orff Schulwerk training as well as a wide range of early childhood workshops. These approaches support creative learning and help even very young students engage with music in a playful and meaningful way. I also undertook a detailed course in choral conducting with Faye Dumont, whose training emphasises clear, relaxed movement to encourage natural choral sound. Choirs I have prepared using this approach have placed or won in their eisteddfod sections.
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Across my teaching career I have continued to study improvisation and composition, and I enjoy helping students explore their own musical ideas. I do not rely on a single method when teaching. Instead, I use a variety of approaches so that each lesson is shaped around the individual student in front of me.
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If you would like to explore more of the musical interests and resources I share, you are welcome to visit my Padlet collection at: